GLOBAL AMBASSADORS

Meet our Global Ambassadors!

Global Ambassadors are returned study abroad students who are here to help students interested in going overseas find their way through the application and advising process. Feel free to contact any of the Global Pirates with questions!

You can apply to be a Global Ambassador here. Applications are open through August 20!

Amanda

ECU in La Rochelle with Dr. Murphy, Summer 2017

Tell us about yourself.
My name is Amanda, I'm from Raleigh, NC, and I'm currently in my third year at ECU. I'm a double Political Science and Communications major with a minor in French. I've always been intrigued by other cultures and the idea of traveling since I was young and I couldn't be happier that I've had the opportunity to experience those things here.

Where did you study abroad?
I studied abroad in La Rochelle, France for a language intensive program to earn credit for FREN 2003 and FREN 2004. Since it was a language intensive program, I did live with a host family. Although it really intimidated me in the beginning, I don't think I would have improved my French as much if I didn't have the opportunity to live in that setting.

What is your favorite memory from your time abroad?
The best memories of my study abroad trip were definitely the excursions we took. In addition to living in La Rochelle, we also got to see Paris, Bordeaux, Normandy, Cognac. and Île-d'Aix. It really is one thing to see the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, and other major monuments in photographs, but it's nothing in comparison to seeing them right in front of you.

How has studying abroad helped your personal or professional life?
Studying abroad has helped me in my personal and professional life because it taught me how to adapt and be accepting of new and different situations. Also, I had originally participated in this program to fulfill a language requirement, but this trip inspired me to add French as a minor so I could continue studying it.

What advice can you offer to students interested in studying abroad?
Seize every opportunity you have while you are there! Studying abroad is a once in a lifetime opportunity and you don't want to miss out on any potential experiences. Also if studying abroad is something that you're really on the fence about, definitely just go for it! It's perfectly normal to be nervous about going to a different place at first and you don't want to let that get in the way of such an amazing opportunity!

Do you have any future plans or ideas to travel abroad again?
I'm thinking about going on the summer 2018 School of Communications trip to Switzerland and Italy!

Shannon

ISEP University of Central Lancashire, England, Spring 2017

Tell us about yourself.My name is Shannon Hardy and I’m a third year Anthropology and Psychology major. I’ve always been interested in traveling and learning about other cultures. During my senior year of high school I went on a trip with my classmates to England, France, and Italy. After that I knew I wanted to travel more, and studying abroad seemed like the best option.

Where did you study abroad?
I did an ISEP Exchange program to the University of Central Lancashire in Northern England for Spring Semester 2017. UCLan is in a town called Preston about an hour northwest of Manchester. I took one class for my major, and two humanities electives.

What is your favorite memory from your time abroad?
My favorite memory is going on a 16-day trip to 5 cities in 4 different countries with some of my closest friends and getting to spend time with them while seeing new places. I loved being able to make close friendships with people that I will have for the rest of my life. Having the ability to go to another country for a weekend trip also amazed me.

How has studying abroad helped your personal or professional life?
Studying abroad made me a more outgoing person, as well as making me more independent and confident in my abilities to navigate new places. Because I had close friends who were German, I decided to take German in school, which will give me a valuable skill for future employers.

What advice can you offer to students interested in studying abroad?
Don’t be afraid to go somewhere alone! You don’t need to go to the same schools your friends go to. Studying abroad without knowing anyone at your host school allows you to form whole new friendships, and since you are all in similar situations you will have lots of things in common. If you’re worried about being homesick and you don’t want to be gone for a semester, don’t forget you can facetime your friends and family and you won’t be homesick when you’re traveling new countries with your close friends.

Do you have any future plans or ideas to travel abroad again?
I’m actually already planning to go back to Berlin in summer of 2019 when my best friends have graduated to have a reunion and hopefully see some places I didn’t get to in my semester. I also plan to do more traveling within America in the meantime.

Guy

ECU Italy Intensives,Spring 2017

Tell us about yourself.
My name is Guy Pittman and I am a junior marketing major here at ECU. I am the third of four kids and all my siblings and I are big on travel. I have always considered myself someone who seeks thrill and adventure, so it was no surprise to me or my family when I decided to spend a semester abroad.

Where did you study abroad?
I studied abroad in a small town called Certaldo, located in the Tuscan region of Italy. The town itself was very small with only 150 residents. Though the town was small, my classmates and I were only a short train ride away from big cities like Florence, Sienna, and Pisa. While abroad, I studied Italian language, literature, art, art history, and music. The unforgettable part about studying in another culture, is that you truly experience each subject. I could immerse myself in the culture to learn each course I was taking.

What is your favorite memory from your time abroad?
My favorite memory of my time abroad was all the time I spent in the café right outside my apartment window. The man who ran the café spoke very good English and was one of the most interesting Italians to engage with. Every morning I woke up in Certaldo, I would make my way down to the café, grab a café americano (black coffee), and have my morning conversation with Alfred and he played his bands smooth jazz playlist on the speakers. It’s the small things that I will miss the most about my time studying abroad, but I will also miss all the places I was able to visit.

How has studying abroad helped your personal or professional life?
Before studying abroad, I was very confined to the American culture. I did not attempt to learn anything about other people or cultures. In a way, I had a selfish view on life. After studying abroad, meeting all types of people from all types of places, and developing true friendships, my eyes were opened to a whole new world. I could see things from a new perspective. I learned the importance of communication, the value of friendship, and that the world did not evolve around America. I also developed a passion from my trip that I believe will trickle down into a career for myself. I found that I love sharing my experiences, especially in a public speaking environment. Studying abroad was not some long vacation even though at times I felt like I was just on a giant vacation. It was much more. My time abroad molded me into the person I am today.

What advice can you offer to students interested in studying abroad?
My advice to any students that may be seeking to study abroad would be to DO IT. The most cliché thing that can be said is “it will change your life, it’s the greatest experience of your life”. Though it’s cliché, it is the God’s honest truth. Do not let any barriers stand in your way of this incredible opportunity. There will always be an excuse not to study abroad, so you my advice is just ignore the barriers and go for it. It is not every day you have the opportunity to hop on a plane and study in another country.

Do you have any future plans or ideas to travel abroad again?
I hope to find a job where I can travel to other countries and continue my passion for travel and sharing my experience with others. Until then, my goal is to go back to Europe the summer I graduate to visit some of the places I was unable to my first time abroad.

Josh

University of Wroclaw, Poland, Spring 2017

Tell us about yourself.
My name is Josh Smith, I was an undergraduate here at ECU. I double majored in Biology and Chemistry. From there I went on to work at Patheon Pharmaceuticals for a year and now have returned here at ECU to get my masters in chemistry. I love to be outdoors, exercise, and listen to music. Oh.... and I love to travel.

Where did you study abroad?
I studied in Wroclaw, Poland. There, at first, I lived in a shared room which was connected to a bathroom and kitchen shared with another room. There were 4 people total per flat. I decided to upgrade to a single bedroom and only had to share a kitchen and bathroom with one other person. It was also possible to find a place off campus to live. I was fortunate enough to find graduate classes that were in English. While I was there, I took a molecular modeling class. The rest of my credit hours were obtained by doing a research project. I could have taken more classes if I wanted to, but the research was more enticing.

What is your favorite memory from your time abroad?
Hard to pick just one. The whole experience itself was a wonderful memory. Each trip, weekend, or just a trip to have a cup of coffee provided wonderful times and memories. If I had to choose one thing that encompassed it all was my diverse group of friends. Every Wednesday we would have a family dinner and someone would cook food from their country. The trips we also took together were amazing to say the least.

How has studying abroad helped your personal or professional life?
Studying abroad teaches you a lot of things, especially when it comes to personal relationships. I now have friends around the world and can visit them any time. It also shows who your true friends are back home. It also teaches you how to interact with people from different cultures and backgrounds.

What advice can you offer to students interested in studying abroad?
Just do it and don't look back. Life is too short to make any decisions that might make you regret later in life. You can travel when you are older, but it won’t be the same like when you study abroad. Studying abroad offers you opportunities to meet people like no other. I was fortunate enough to go back to graduate school and find a program; not everyone will have a second chance like me. Don't find excuses, such as money, time, or your degree. "This is your life and it is ending one minute at a time"- Chuck Palahniuk. Take life by the reigns and go abroad, live your life to the fullest, and don't look back.

Do you have any future plans or ideas to travel abroad again?
Once I graduate, I plan on moving to a German speaking country and continue my science career out there for a little bit. Until I get a job I will most likely go backpacking or work in a hostel until I find one.

Rachel

ISEP Yonsei University, Korea, Summer 2017

Tell us about yourself.
I am a sophomore intended nursing major from Charlotte, NC. I was born and raised in Charlotte and had never been outside of the Americas until I studied abroad this summer. I enjoy traveling, experiencing new cultures, and meeting new people.

Where did you study abroad?
I studied abroad in Seoul, South Korea at Yonsei University during summer 2017 where I took a Korean language course and social psychology. I stayed in an on-campus university dormitory with a roommate.

What is your favorite memory from your time abroad?
My favorite memory from my time abroad was seeing and exploring the Fortress Wall of Seoul and Ihwa Mural Village with my friends. We were able to experience different aspects of South Korea from a historical wall that was built in the 14th century to modern day art and murals within a village.

How has studying abroad helped your personal or professional life?
Studying abroad has helped me to become more personable and independent by forcing myself to speak with strangers, make new friends, and figure out how to live on my own. These are important skill as a hopeful future nurse who will need to have good interpersonal skills since I will be constantly interacting with many people every day. Studying abroad has also allowed me to learn more of another language that could be helpful as a nurse if I have patients that can only speak Korean and need someone to communicate with and translate.

What advice can you offer to students interested in studying abroad?
If you are interested in studying abroad but the only thing holding you back is fear, then you should just do it and force yourself to go. Although it may seem overwhelming and scary, the experiences you have abroad will make it all worth it.

Do you have any future plans or ideas to travel abroad again?
I definitely plan to travel back to South Korea someday and hopefully study abroad again before I graduate.

Contact Rachel at pakr16@students.ecu.edu for more details about studying abroad with ISEP in the summer and South Korea.

Kelly

Educatrip- Granada, Spain, Spring 2017

Tell us about yourself.
I'm a senior majoring in Hispanic Studies and Hispanic Studies Education. I absolutely love the Spanish language and culture. After I graduate I plan to be in Spain for a year or two teaching English while working on my Master's Degree then eventually come back to teach high school Spanish here in NC.

Where did you study abroad?
I studied abroad in Granada, Spain during the 2017 Spring Semester. I lived with a host mom, Merche, which was one of my favorite study abroad experiences. Merche and I still keep in contact and I plan to visit her very soon. My classes in Spain were all Spanish classes (grammar, literature, culture and civilization, oral and written production, and an internship). The internship was helping teach several subjects in English at a local bilingual high school. While I was abroad I also had many opportunities to travel to many countries in Europe and Morocco, Africa.

What is your favorite memory from your time abroad?
Every part of studying abroad was amazing, but my favorite memories were the ones made with the locals I met in Granada; going for tapas, churros, and going to all the amazing sunset lookouts.

How has studying abroad helped your personal or professional life?
Studying abroad, especially in Spain, improved my ability to speak Spanish fluently and gave me confidence in engaging in conversations in the Spanish language. I also got to experience teaching at a high school while in Spain which will help my professional life as a future Spanish teacher.

What advice can you offer to students interested in studying abroad?
Some advice that I would give students interested in studying abroad is DON'T BUY YOUR RETURN FLIGHT YET! I wish I didn't leave as soon as my program ended because there was so much more I wanted to do and more places I wanted to travel to.

Do you have any future plans or ideas to travel abroad again?
I plan to travel back to Spain this summer after I graduate and stay for a while to teach English, continue exploring Europe's amazing countries, and visit my friends in Spain.

Kaitlyn

ECU Italy Intensives, Summer 2017

Tell us about yourself.
My name is Kaitlyn West, I am from Durham, NC and am a junior here at ECU. I am a Communications major with a concentration in public relations. I love to travel and was fortune enough to visit four countries this past summer in Europe. Outside of my time aboard I really enjoy reading, painting, and being outdoors.

Where did you study abroad?
I was a part of the Italy Intensives summer program and got to study all throughout Italy. I took nine credit hours at the ECU campus in Certaldo, Italy. We stayed in apartments on campus which was really enjoyable as I got to bond with other students on my program.

What is your favorite memory from your time abroad?
It's hard to narrow down one thing as my favorite memory so I would say I really enjoyed traveling to all these places like Florence, Venice, Amalfi Coast and Naples as I learned about them throughout my life and was finally able to experience it firsthand.

How has studying abroad helped your personal or professional life?
Studying abroad has greatly affected my personal life as I made some really genuine friendships and grew greatly in my feeling of independence and confidence. Professionally, studying abroad has been great as a networking tool since a lot of my professors and peers like to ask me about my time abroad.

What advice can you offer to students interested in studying abroad?
I would advise to start planning sooner rather than later. Joining a program takes some planning and the earlier you start the more you can utilize resources ECU offers and scholarship opportunities. Studying abroad is by far one of the best experiences I've had so don't miss out!

Do you have any future plans or ideas to travel abroad again?
I am currently looking into possibly spending a semester abroad in the United Kingdom!

Gary

UNCW Semester in Paris, France, Spring 2017

Tell us about yourself.
I am currently a senior at ECU seeking a degree in French Education with a minor in Linguistics and certification in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. I am from New Jersey, as well.

Where did you study abroad?
I studied abroad in Paris for the spring 2017 semester! I took French language courses, Art History in France, French Cinema, and I also did an internship in a middle school where I taught English! I was definitely busy, but there was still a lot of time to get out and explore and travel! I lived with a host family while I was there, and while that is a huge area of worry for potential students studying abroad, it was undoubtedly the best decision I could have made. My host family only spoke French with me, so between that, and the fact that all of my classes were entirely in French, my French improved drastically while I was out there! My host family was fantastic and I highly recommend opting for the homestay. That is how you truly immerse yourself in the culture!

What is your favorite memory from your time abroad?
I have so many memories from being abroad that it really is difficult to choose one to be my favorite. I loved dinners with my host family, they were so much fun even if I was a little lost at times during the conversations. I loved waking up and taking the metro into Paris every day; I still cannot believe that I lived in Paris for four months. Traveling was also affordable, and very doable, while being out there. I spent a weekend in Belgium, a weekend in London, 12 days in Italy, and 5 days in Greece, in addition to traveling a little inside of France! Feeling like I was French was also awesome. Taking the metro, knowing my way around the city, and even just being able to order something at a cafe in French, and sit and enjoy it, were all things that I miss so much right now!

How has studying abroad helped your personal or professional life?
Studying abroad has been so beneficial to me. I know for a fact that I have chosen the correct major, and minor. I now feel like I will offer so much more to my students being that I had the opportunity to live in Paris and totally immerse myself in the French culture. Not many people get to experience this, so I am so happy to be able to say that I have. Also, I know that it will make me look much better in interviews for when I go try and get a job as a French teacher!

What advice can you offer to students interested in studying abroad?
DO IT! It is without a doubt the greatest thing I have ever done in my life. I cannot recommend it enough! It was everything I imagined it could be, and so much more! I have friends from all over the world now who I can go visit at any point, I have a great relationship with my host family, and I don't have to regret not doing this! The biggest thing I took away from getting home is the amount of adults who told me they wish they would have done this while they were in college, because now they are tied down with work and families and cannot just go live in another country for a little while! Don't be like them!

Do you have any future plans or ideas to travel abroad again?
Definitely! My new goal now is to actually go teach English in Paris after I graduate in May. I need to get back to Paris. I would work in a cafe if that meant that I could live in Paris again!

You can email Gary at laveniag12@students.ecu.edu with any questions about the UNCW Semester in Paris Program or studying abroad in France!

Ashley

Study in Granada, Spain with ILYC & the University of Granada with Professor Lopez-Canete, Summer 2017

Tell us about yourself.
I’m a senior Communications major with a concentration in Journalism, and a minor in Fashion Merchandising. I love to travel, listen to music, eat, practice yoga, and hang out with friends in my free time. I studied Spanish while in Spain, and I hope to use that in my future career.

Where did you study abroad? (What types of classes, where did you live, etc.)
I studied Spanish at the Centro de Lenguas Modernas at the Universidad de Granada in Granada, Spain. I lived with a host family (a mom and her daughter) for a month, and stayed in hostels when I traveled around Spain.

What is your favorite memory from your time abroad?
It’s pretty much impossible to pick my favorite memory without saying the whole trip, but I really enjoyed meeting and getting to know so many cool and interesting people from around the world, some of which I’m still in contact with!

How has studying abroad helped your personal or professional life?
When looking for a place to study abroad, I was scared to break out of my comfort zone. So naturally, I chose to go to a country where I didn’t speak the language and didn’t know anyone I was going with. This was the best decision I could’ve ever made. I feel more confident within myself as a person, I’m willing to take risks, and it helps me stand out in interviews. Plus, it makes a killer fact for 2 truths and a lie.

What advice can you offer to students interested in studying abroad?
If you’re thinking about it, go for it. Any concerns that you may have, have a solution. It was the greatest time of my life, and I guarantee it’ll be the best experience you’ll have while in college.

Do you have any future plans or ideas to travel abroad again?
I don’t have anything currently planned, but I would absolutely love to go back to Spain, travel around more of Europe, and hopefully other countries some day too. I’ve even considered moving to Spain after graduation to work full time.

Shana

ISEP University of Chester, England, Spring 2017

Tell us about yourself.
Hi, my name is Shana McCusker, I am originally from New Jersey, and I am a junior at East Carolina University. I study Speech and Hearing Sciences, in hopes to go to graduate school, and someday be a speech therapist for young children. Traveling has always intrigued me, so I found studying abroad to be the most amazing experience!
Where did you study abroad? (What types of classes, where did you live, etc)
I studied abroad in the United Kingdom, at the University of Chester in Chester, England for spring semester of my sophomore year. Since I was in the process of applying into my major of speech and hearing sciences, I pretty much had free range to take whatever classes I wanted to while I was abroad, as almost all of them would come back as elective credit. I chose to take a couple psychology classes, and took an English class to fulfill my Humanities credit. I lived in a university linked house with 5 other girls from England which was really cool!

What is your favorite memory from your time abroad?
My favorite memory from my time abroad was just meeting so many new people who I will be friends with forever. I met girls from Australia, Finland, and Germany who I now consider my best friends, and still talk to on a daily basis! Also, traveling to so many amazing places in Europe for so cheap was absolutely incredible! I saw the most breathtaking places, that I only ever imagined seeing in magazines! Lagos, Portugal and Positano, Italy were two of my favorite places to travel to!

How has studying abroad helped your personal or professional life?
Studying abroad has definitely helped both my personal and professional life. I’ve learned so much more information about different cultures, and gained a newfound appreciation for all of these cultures and how we interact together. I also learned a lot about myself, and proved how independent I can be, to go abroad by myself for almost 6 months. I’ve learned to be adventurous and spontaneous, because who know when you will get to do this again!

What advice can you offer to students interested in studying abroad?
For any students interested in studying abroad, I would tell them GO FOR IT!! This is a truly unforgettable experience that will leave you with everlasting memories that you cannot make anywhere else. You think that you will miss home when you go away, but trust me, you won’t, because you will fall in love with the new culture you are a part of!

Do you have any future plans or ideas to travel abroad again?
I most definitely have future plans to travel abroad again! I am looking into possibly going to graduate school abroad. If that does not work out, I will definitely try to travel as much as I can in my free time!

Ryan

Non-ECU, Stellenbosch University, South Africa, Spring 2017

Tell us about yourself.
My name is Ryan Cummins, I am 20 years old from Charlotte, NC. My intended major is Communications with a concentration in public relations and a minor in film. I enjoy adventure, being outside, hip hop, and a little risk.

Where did you study abroad? (What types of classes, where did you live, etc)
I Studied at Stellenbosch University in the Western Cape of South Africa for 5.5 months. Stellenbosch is an Afrikaans town in the heart of the Cape Winelands surrounded by beautiful mountains while still only being 30 minutes from the beach. I lived in an off campus coed flat that I shared with seven other international students from France, Germany, and Austria. During the semester I took 13 credits that counted towards my elective requirements.

What is your favorite memory from your time abroad?
My favorite memory’s from studying abroad are travelling to Madagascar for two weeks on fall break with two friends I met at my University and my favorite memory from South Africa specifically was going to the Tankwa Karoo National Park for AfrikaBurn 2017.

How has studying abroad helped your personal or professional life?
Studying Abroad has resulted in me becoming a more active and outgoing person, from being in a country all alone initially you are almost forced to step out of your box. Being more isolated from life back home gave me important time to think about what I really want for myself and future. The most valuable thing I gained from study abroad was a stronger perspective on the world and global issues. It is easy to rationalize and normalize your beliefs on things but going to another country, living with people from other cultures, and seeing what else is out there really shakes that up and helps you form stronger and more understanding views on the world.

What advice can you offer to students interested in studying abroad?
My advice to anyone studying abroad is to just go for it and choose somewhere you are passionate about. I decided I would study abroad one semester before I left and it was definitely the most adventurous, meaningful and unforgettable thing I’ve done. Also somewhere with a favorable exchange rate is a plus!

Do you have any future plans or ideas to travel abroad again?
I plan to travel to travel to Asia next semester or summer and am considering working abroad with the Peace Corps or similar organization after I graduate for a few years.

For more information about South Africa or navigating a Non-ECU program email Ryan at cumminsr15@students.ecu.edu.

Ankita

HAN University, Netherlands, Spring 2016

Tell us about yourself.
I’m Ankita Mishra and I’m from Cary, NC and was born in Northern India. I am completing a B.S. in Public Health Studies with a concentration in pre-health. I enjoy reading, biking, watching documentaries, learning about other cultures, and travelling. I hope to join the field of medicine after my undergraduate career by pursuing a Masters in Global Health Studies and (hopefully) a Medical Degree.

Where did you study abroad?
I studied abroad during the spring of 2016 at HAN University in Nijmegen, Netherlands- the oldest city in the country. During my time abroad, I completed a minor in Internationalization (International Health Care) and worked with the university’s partners in Belgium and Sweden to complete a research project on Nursing Leadership.

What is your favorite memory from your time abroad?
While on the way back from our trip to Copenhagen, Denmark, my friends and I missed our train from Köln, Germany to Nijmegen, Netherlands. Instead of buying another ticket, we decided to train-jump from Köln to Nijmegen. After a lot of confusion and a little bit of luck, we got back to Nijmegen without paying any fines after hopping on four different trains!

How has studying abroad helped you personally?
My time abroad has helped me grow tremendously as a person. I have become exponentially more confident in myself and a little less introverted than I once used to be. Completing an exchange program allowed me to be around people from all over the world and gave me the opportunity to learn and grow from their stories. The world now seems much smaller as do the differences among others and myself, making me more of an open-minded and curious person.

Do you plan to go abroad again?
One way or another, I am determined to find an opportunity to be back abroad! The realization that the world is ever so interconnected has drawn me into looking for opportunities in the field of global health. Whether it is as a medical doctor or a public health professional, I see myself in the future working towards the advancement in health of the world while travelling to places that I would have never imagined seeing in real life!

Melisha

Study in Granada, Spain with ILYC and the University of Granada with Professor Lopez-CaneteSummer 2015

Tell us about yourself.
I am a senior majoring in Chemistry and Spanish. My plan is to attend Medical School somewhere abroad. I was born in Jamaica but I now live in Winston-Salem, NC. I love to travel and learn about other cultures. I also love to dance and go on new and exciting adventures. This is my third year as a Global Ambassador!

Do you have any future plans or ideas to travel abroad again?
I have a passion for traveling and meeting new people so I am currently in the process of finding an internship abroad this summer or finding another study abroad program this summer. I am always looking for new places to travel to.

How has studying abroad helped your personal or professional life?
Studying abroad as helped me personally because I got to experience a new culture and now I am more aware of some of the different customs of other cultures. It has also helped me personally because now I know how it feels when someone else doesn’t speak the same language as you do and they are trying to explain something to you how difficult that might be for them because it was very difficult for me at times when I was in Spain.

Do you have any advice for students interested in studying abroad?
My advice to students seeking to study abroad is don't be afraid to go out of your comfort zone and experience new things and places. Most people don't want to study abroad because of the fear of going to a new country away from what they are used to and they are afraid of the unknown. Don't worry about not knowing how to communicate with the people of that specific country; just pack your bags and get on the plane. You will experience the best time of your life and meet some amazing people.

Email Melisha at garrisonm14@students.ecu.edu with questions regarding studying in Spain.

Tell us about yourself!
I graduated from ECU in December 2016 with a degree in German studies and am currently a graduate student in the International Studies program.

What advice can you offer to students interested in studying abroad?
I would recommend to anyone interested in studying abroad, to just do your research on the country that'll best fit to your major/ interests and make sure to pack light, cause more than half the stuff you come with, won't come back with you!

Do you plan on studying abroad again?
I enjoyed my study abroad experience so much, that I plan on doing it again for my master's degree and would strongly recommend studying abroad to any student looking for a positive, life-changing experience.

How has study abroad helped you personally?
When I studied abroad, I was a junior at ECU and had never even flown before. At the time, I was excited, but didn't really know what to expect. Looking back, studying abroad was probably one of the best decisions I've ever made, and I wouldn't trade the friendships and experiences for anything. One of the hardest aspects of studying abroad is overcoming that initial period of homesickness and culture shock, but once you start making friends and getting used to your city, you really start forgetting about all of that!